MASAI UJIRI’S GIANTS OF AFRICA OPENS NEW BASKETBALL COURT AT HIGHLAND PARK JUNIOR HIGH IN HALIFAX’S HISTORIC NORTH END
Sobeys Inc. Partnership Brings Upgraded Basketball Facility to Nova Scotia’s
African Diaspora Community
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (June 30, 2025) – Today, Giants of Africa, the non-profit organization co-founded by Masai Ujiri, is proud to announce the opening of a new basketball court at Highland Park Junior High in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The new facility, generously sponsored by Sobeys Inc., and with support from the MLSE Foundation and Halifax Regional Municipality, represents a significant investment in Halifax’s North End—a community with profound historical connections to the African continent and home to a vibrant African diaspora population.
An official court unveiling ceremony took place today, featuring a co-ed basketball clinic and life skills education session conducted by NBA personnel, Raptors Development and Giants of Africa coaches. Remarks were also shared by Mayor Andy Fillmore, partners, special guests and community leaders.
“Basketball has always been our vehicle for empowering African youth and catalyzing positive change across communities,” said Melanie Danna, Giants of Africa Senior Director, Strategy & Operations. “This court in North End Halifax extends our mission in Canada, creating a space where young people can develop not just their athletic skills, but their leadership abilities, confidence, and sense of unity. We’re grateful to Sobeys Inc. for their partnership in bringing this court to life and for their commitment to serving this historic community through the power of sport.”
Sandra Sanderson, Chief Marketing Officer, Empire Company Limited, remarked, “At Sobeys, our mission is to be a family nurturing families, and nowhere does it ring truer than here in Nova Scotia where our story began and where we continue to maintain strong roots. With the support of Giants of Africa, the MLSE Foundation and Halifax Regional Municipality, we are proud to be a part of this vibrant addition to the Highland Park Junior High School community that promotes engagement and empowerment among youth in Halifax’s North End with a significant African-Nova Scotian population, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities we serve.”
The Highland Park Junior High court marks the third Giants of Africa court unveiled in Canada. It is also an extension of the foundation’s commitment to build 100 courts across Africa–an initiative that has seen 40 new courts across 11 African countries, impacting the lives of over 140,000 young people.
“This court is a great addition in the heart of the historic North End and a meaningful investment in a community with deep roots and strong pride,” said Mayor Andy Fillmore of the Halifax Regional
Municipality. “I want to thank Masai Ujiri, Giants of Africa, Sobeys, the Toronto Raptors, and the MLSE Foundation for helping to create a space where young people can come together, stay active, and build confidence. This court is what community partnership looks like.”
For more information or to donate, join the Giants of Africa online community at www.GiantsofAfrica.org or follow Giants of Africa on all major social media platforms.
About Giants of Africa and Masai Ujiri
Co-Founder – Giants of Africa | Former Vice-Chairman and President – Toronto Raptors
Masai Ujiri is the first and only African-born President of a professional sports franchise in North America – the National Basketball Association’s Toronto Raptors. In 2019, Masai led the Raptors to their first-ever NBA Championship and the first NBA Championship won by a team outside the United States in NBA history. In 2003, Masai co-founded the Giants of Africa Foundation, based on the idea of using basketball as a means of educating and enriching the lives of African youth—both boys and girls. Giants of Africa has used sport to help empower youth to dream big, hosting basketball camps and clinics for boys and girls in 20 countries across the continent. In 2021, Giants of Africa launched the ‘Built Within’ 100-court initiative and unveiled 40 basketball facilities in 11 African countries. This July 26th to August 2nd, the Giants of Africa Festival will bring together over 320 youth from 20 countries across Africa to Kigali, Rwanda for a week-long celebration of basketball, education, culture, and entertainment.
About Sobeys Inc.
Proudly Canadian, with headquarters in Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Sobeys has been serving the food shopping needs of Canadians since 1907. Sobeys Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire Company Limited (“Empire”) (TSX: EMP.A), owns, affiliates or franchises more than 1,600 stores in all 10 provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, Farm Boy, Longo’s and Lawtons Drugs, operates grocery e-commerce under the banners Voilà, Voilà par IGA and ThriftyFoods.com, and operates and/or supplies more than 350 retail fuel locations. Sobeys, its franchisees, and affiliates employ approximately 129,000 people. More information on Sobeys Inc. can be found at www.sobeyscorporate.com.
